Atascadero Little Leaguers have character

June 11, 2014

Having two grandsons who play in the Atascadero Little League, it has been a busy season for my wife and I. A minimum of three games a week and an abundance of Gatorade and sun block.

I’m reminded of a quote attributed to the famous New York Yankee, Yogi Berra, who said, “Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps parents off the streets.”

I want to comment on a game played by the Reds and Rockies on May 28th at Paloma Park.

The game was won before the first batter stepped into the box and before the first pitch was thrown. It was won by both teams who experienced something that exemplifies good sportsmanship, respect and compassion.

Before the game started, we had learned that one of the Rockies best players was unable to suit up as he had suffered a serious heart condition which required hospitalization.

So moments before the game started, both teams, the players and the coaches, gathered in the infield, took a knee, and bowed their heads to show their respect and compassion for a fellow league player who was in distress.

I was able to capture that moment by photograph and in my mind it illustrates the tenets of the Little League, which strives to develop good citizenship, strong character and health.

To the young men who experienced that moment on the infield, I promise you that as you travel life’s road you will always remember that moment, just like you will remember the moments when you made a great play on the ball.

Congratulations to your season and to all the coaches and volunteers, thank you for leading and encouraging the young players of all teams.

Mike Brennler is a former San Luis Obispo police officer and mayor of Atascadero.

11 Comments

Once again, I know that I am speaking for all TRUE Christians when I state explicitly that Mike Brennler’s photograph of the teams praying on the baseball field, goes directly against Jesus’ direct words that Christians are to pray in private!

Barring the fact of the inclusion of non-christians probably kneeing down too so they won’t be disparaged by the pseudo-christian’s peer pressure, this photograph represents another example of slapping Jesus directly in the face, which is total and unadulterated blasphemy!

Jesus stated: “Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6)

No Christian has the authority to argue with the direct word of Jesus as stated above in that Christians are to pray in secret, and NOT on any baseball field prior to a game, period!

The Little League can strive to develop good citizenship and strong character, as Mr. Brennler states, but when he allowed these kids to pray in public as shown, it does NOT bode well with the direct words of Jesus regarding prayer. Mr. Brenler should be ashamed for letting these kids go directly against Jesus’ direct words on this topic.

I will pray for Mr. Brennler to be more enlightened next time concerning what the bible actually states concerning the act of prayer.

The bottom line is, Yeshua was not telling us we should never pray in public; He was attempting to tell people to not be like the hypocrites who desire to be heard in order to show how pious or religious they are!

1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing.” If we are to pray continually this means we should pray anytime, including in public without any fear of what others think or do. The point is, YHWH is always watching, and He’s the only one whose opinion matters.

In part, what section of what Jesus literally stated didn’t you comprehend? To wit: “…… But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, AND PRAY TO YOUR FATHER IN SECRET” Anger, do you portend to know more than Jesus the Christ in the respect of how one is to pray?

“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2)

Yes, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 states that one is to pray without ceasing, but at the onset of this chapter, this is in regards to the Second Coming of Jesus the Christ! “But of the times and the seasons brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you… for yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” (1 Thess 5:1-2)

With specificity, Paul says that he doesn’t have to write about the forthcoming “times” and “seasons” anymore because it is a moot issue since the Second Coming is within Pausl and the Thessalonians present time. The term “seasons”, is a specific time period relating to their present day. It directly implies that Paul is expecting Jesus’ return at ANY MOMENT!

For you to use this passage in question, is to defy the context and intent of 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, in that Jesus was to return within the generation that Paul is speaking about ( Matthew 24: 34). You have now opened up a can of worms because Jesus has not returned in the last 2015 years and counting. Did Jesus lie, or did Paul in this respect?

Please, don’t make it any harder for us True Christians to remain within the fold.